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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 10, 2026
St. Joseph, MI—The Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber is pleased to announce the panel of judges for the third annual HYPE (Highlighting Young Professional Excellence) pitch competition, taking place Wednesday, November 18, 2026, at the Watermark Solarium in Stevensville. This year's panel brings together four accomplished entrepreneurs and business leaders from across the region, each bringing a distinct perspective in hospitality, retail, real estate, and community leadership to the evaluation of this year's finalists.
Meet the 2026 HYPE Judges:
Alexandra Ranft is the owner of Bare Naked Salts and Soaps, a small-batch, all-natural bath and body care company based in Niles, Michigan. Alex founded the company after discovering troubling ingredients in a bottle of baby shampoo and began formulating her own products in 2022 before selling at local markets. She was the 1st place winner of last year's HYPE competition and is an alumna of Start Garden's 100, making her uniquely positioned to evaluate this year's field of entrepreneurs.
Justin Cohen is an entrepreneurial strategist with two decades of experience building, investing in, and scaling businesses across startups, operations, and real estate. A Chicagoland native, he was the first employee at what became Enova International, later helped build one of Chicago's largest private real estate investment trusts at Pangea Properties, and served as CEO of digital wellness platform SweatWorking alongside his wife, Jeana. Together, the couple co-founded Bionic Capital and has now built Petite Acres, a boutique wellness retreat in New Buffalo.
Matthew Moersch is a hospitality entrepreneur and CEO of Moersch Hospitality Group, a family-owned company whose portfolio of wine, spirits, dining, and entertainment destinations has become a distinctive part of the Midwest hospitality landscape. The properties include Tabor Hill Winery & Restaurant, Round Barn Winery & Estate, Round Barn Brewery & Public House, and Round Barn Distillery. Matthew is passionate about positioning the Midwest as a destination for sophisticated food, wine, and hospitality experiences.
Toni D'Agostino is the third-generation successor of D'Agostino's Navajo Bar & Grille, a beloved Bridgman, Michigan restaurant founded by her grandparents in 1955. After earning her Business degree from Calvin University, Toni returned home to lead the restaurant into its next chapter. She also serves on the Bridgman City Council and completed the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber and Lake Michigan College Leadership Accelerator course, reflecting her commitment to next-generation leadership in the region.
"This year's judging panel represents the full spectrum of what it takes to build a successful business in Southwest Michigan—from a HYPE alum who knows firsthand what it's like to stand on that stage to leaders in hospitality, real estate, and multi-generational family business," said Jasmine Hansen, Events Director and Program Lead for NextGen at the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber. "Our finalists are going to receive thoughtful, experienced feedback from people who have genuinely been in their shoes."
About HYPE 2026
HYPE is a Shark Tank-style pitch competition that showcases, supports, and empowers young entrepreneurs from across Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren Counties. Seven finalists will pitch live in front of the judging panel and a live audience for start-up capital and in-kind support, with an audience-selected "crowd favorite" award as well.
Pitch Applicant Info & Key Dates
Pitch applications are open and can be submitted online at smrchamber.com/hype. To compete, applicants must be between the ages of 21 and 40 at the time of the event, reside in Berrien, Cass, or Van Buren County, have concrete plans to open a business within the region, and have run their business between one and five years. The application process includes a pre-pitch elimination round, submission of a slide deck, and business plan, among other requirements. The deadline to apply is September 30, 2026.
Upcoming Key Dates:
- September 14 – Ticket Sales Open
- September 30 – HYPE Pitch Applications Close
- October 6 – Welcome to HYPE: Information Session (5:30 p.m., virtual or in-person; mandatory for pitch applicants, closed to the public)
- October 19 – Sponsorship Applications Close
- November 10 – Pre-Selection Night (closed to the public)
- November 17 – HYPE Rehearsal (closed to the public)
- November 18 – HYPE Event Night at Watermark Solarium
Registration to attend HYPE opens September 14th; seats can be reserved at ticketsignup.io/TicketEvent/HYPE2026. Admission is open to the public with a suggested donation of $5, which will help support future entrepreneurial programming through the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber Foundation.
Calling All Sponsors: Join Us in Shaping the Future
The Regional Chamber invites the business community to join in championing the next generation of entrepreneurs. By sponsoring HYPE, organizations play a vital role in helping young professionals bring their ideas to life while demonstrating a shared commitment to innovation, workforce development, and economic growth across Southwest Michigan. HYPE is supported under the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber Foundation, with all contributions and sponsorships fully tax-deductible.
Sponsorship applications close on October 19th. Details and the sponsorship form are available at smrchamber.com/hype.
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